Convertible folding couch.



G. L. RUEHS.

CONVERTIBLE FOLDING COUCH. APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 14, 1908.

Patented May 11, 1909.

ZSHEETS-SHEET 1.

m: uonms PETERS cm. WASHINGTON, v. c

0. L. RUBHS. GONVBBTIBLE FOLDING COUCH. IAPPLIOATION FILED NOV. 14,190B.

Patented May 11, 1909.

2 SHEETSSHBET 2.

CHARLES L. RUEHS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CONVERTIBLE FOLDING COUCH.

No. 921,4ee.

Application filed November 14, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. Runns, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in'the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented new and useful Inn provements in Convertible Folding Couches,of which the following is specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in convertible foldingcouches.

The object of the invention is to produce an improved couch which may bereadily folded up to occupy a comparatively small space, or which may bereadily converted into a chair.

Another object is to simplify and otherwise improve upon structures ofthis character and to such ends this invention consists in certain novelfeatures of construction and arrangement, a description of which will befound in the following specification and the essential features of whichwill be more particularly defined in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the drawings furnished herewith,in which Figure 1 is a side view of the device extended to form a couch,Fig. 2 is an underplan view thereof, Fig. 3 is a side View of the deviceconverted into a chair, Fig. 4 is an un-- derplan view showing thedevice collapsed laterally and lying on its back, Fig. 5 is a side viewof the device with the end legs folded down,

Fig. 6 is a side view showing the device completely folded up, 7 is alongitudinal section through one of the side frames illustrating themanner of hinging the legs to the side frames, 8 is a detail sectiontaken on the line 88 of 7, and Fig. 9 is a detail section taken on theline 9-9 of Fig. 7. I

The preferred form of this device has been illustrated in the drawingsand as shown consists in general of two sections A, B, the section A,being adapted for use as a head rest of acouch, oraseat of a chair, andthe section B, being adapted for use as the body of a couch or the backof a chair. The sections comprise longitudinal side frames 1, betweenwhich are stretched sheets of canvas or other like fabric 2. Each sideframe preferably comprises two longitudinally extending members 4, 5,that are hinged together at their adjacent ends and from which projectlegs 6, 7, 8, which are preferably hinged to the members so as to becapable of being folded up against the same.

The preferred form of hinge between the members 4, 5, of the sections A,B, is best Specification of Letters Patent.

E'atented May 11, 1909.

Serial No. 462,565.

illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, and as shown con sists in a T shaped plate9, which is connected to the members 4, 5, by pivot pins 10, 11. Saidmembers 4, 5, are forked upon their ends to receive the plate 9, andsaid plate plays in the notches between the two members of the fork.()ne arm 12, of said plate 9, is secured in the upper end of the leg 7,which leg is also forked upon its upper end to receive the arm 12.

It is apparent that either member 4 or 5 may be swung upon the plateindependent of the other member, so as to change the position of saidmembers with respect to each other, either for the purpose of convertingthe couchinto a chair or for folding one section upon the other. One ofthe end legs is shown in Fig. 7, and the connection between said leg andmember 5, may be in the form of an L shaped plate 13, secured in theupper end of said leg, and said plate has an arm 14, which is pivoted tothe member 5, as by a pin 15. As shown, the end of the member upon whichthe leg 8, is pivoted may also be forked and the arm 14, placed betweenthe two members of the fork so as to play between them. The upper end ofthe leg has a shoulder 16, adapted to abut against the lower side of themember 5, so as to limit the outward movement of the leg, and inasmuchas said shoulder is positioned beyond the pivot of the log, it isevident that no other locking means is required to maintain the leg inits extended position, inasmuch as the weight of the body of the de viceupon it will tend to hold it in such position. The legs 6, and thepivotal connection between said legs and the members 4, are preferablyconstructed in the same manner as the legs 8, and their connections withthe members 5.

Inasmuch as the members 4, and 5, are free to swing upon the legs 7,mechanism has been provided for maintaining these parts in properrelation with each other when the de vice is in use either as a couch oras a chair. As shown, two brace members 17, are provided for thispurpose. Each brace preferably contains an arm 18, whichis pivoted toone of the members 4, or 5, here shown as pivoted at 19 to the member 4,and the brace is free to be swung upon said pivot so as to bring it intoproper relation with the legs 7, and the members 4, 5. Each brace 17,further contains a member 20, which may be readily secured to the member5, and the leg 7. As shown, the member 20, is are shaped in form, andcontains a number of perforations 21, 22, which are adapted to bebrought into register with one of a number of holes 23, 24, in themember 5. lit also contains perforations 25, 26, which may be broughtinto register with either one of two holes 27, 27 formed in the leg 7.Pins 23, 29, are provided which may be thrust through the perforationsin the brace members and secured in the proper p rforations in themember 5, or legs 7. The arrangement of the perforations in the bracemembers 17, and leg 7, is such that by placing the pins in the properperforations the device will be braced so as to maintain the parts inthe position shown in Fig. 1, in which case it acts a couch, or tomaintain the parts in the position shown in Fig. 3, where it acts as achair.

lfeans are provided bet-ween the two side frames for connecting them andbracing them while in their extended position. A number of theseconnections may be provid-ed between the side frames and in illustratingthis device, I have shown two. A simple form of collapsible connectingdevice comprises links 30, which are pivoted together at one end and tothe side frame by means of a pivot pin or like device 31, and links 32,which are pivoted together and to the other side frame by means of apivot pin or the like 33. Each of the links 30, is pivoted to one of thelinks 32, as 3%, thus providing a lazy tongs like structure connectingthe two side frames, and still per m-i'tting them to'be drawn apart orpushed together. Brace members 35, are pivoted to one pair of the links30, 32, at their pivotal connection between each other and said bracemembers contain hooks 36, which may be hooked over pins 37, on the sideframes to brace the two frames together. It is evident that when theside frames are drawn apart and the brace members hooked upon the pins37, a rigid structure is provided and which is braced in all directionsto resist any efl'or to move either side frame relative to the otherone.

The canvas top 2, is preferably made in two sections, so as to permit ofthe folding together of the two sections A, B, and

' cushions 40, ll, are shown in connection with this device whichcushions may be of any well known form, but I prefer to use the ordinarypneumatic cushions which may be collapsed and folded up when not in use.

When it is desired to use the device as a couch, the side frames aredrawn apart and the braces 35, secured in place upon the pins 37, andthe legs 7, 8, are drawn out into position and the section A is swungback. The

pins 29, are then passed through the perforations 26,- in the bracemembers 17, and into the perforations 27 in the legs 7.

The pins 23, are then passed through the perforations 22, in the bracemembers and into the perforations 23, in the side frames 5. In thi;manner the members 17, form braces between all these partsthe sectionsA, B, and legs7. if desired the legs 6, may be swung underneath the headrest as shown, or they may be allowed to hang from their pivotalconnections therewith. Vl hen the cushions are placed on the structureso arranged, it forms a very comfortable couch.

If the device is to be used as a chair, the legs 6, are swung out fromthe head rest, the legs 8, swung underneath the body portion, the pinswithdrawn from the perforations, allowing the head rest to drop down. soas to form the chair seat, and the body portion swung upward intoposition, the pins 29, inserted through the perforations 25, in thebrace member 17, and into the perforations 27, in the legs 7, and thepins 28, inserted through the perforations 21, in the brace and intoeither one of the perforations 24, of theside frames. in this positionalso the braces 1.7, securely hold the sections A, B, and legs 7, intheir proper relative positions.

l s hen it is desired to fold the device for shipment or transportation,the cushions are removed, the pins 23, 29, withdravm from theperforations, the device laid. out flat upon its back, the sections A,B, collapsed laterally (see- 4,) the legs 6, 8, folded down (see Fig.5,) the head rest then swung upon the pivot pins 10, as a center, untilit reaches the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, and then swungdown against the body, or section B, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, thelegs 7, being carried on by the movement of the head rest so as to liebetween the head rest and body. It will thus be seen that the device canbe folded up into very neat and compact form, and will occupy but verylittle space. It is proposed to make the frai re of comparatively lightmaterial, so that it may be readily transported.

If desired, the frame may be constructed of more substantial material,and the device used as an article of furniture in the household,although it is apparent that when made of light material it may be usedfor outing or camping furniture.

I am aware that more or less alteration or variation of the details ofconstruction is possible without departing from the spirit of thisinvention, and I do not therefore desire to limit myself to the exactdescription shown and described.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a convertible folding couch, the combination of a laterallycollapsible body portion, a laterally collapsible head rest hinged tosaid body portion, end legs, and intermediate legs hinged to the bodyportion and to the head rest, and a single brace member on each side ofthe couch having means for securing the head rest, body portion and theintermediate legs in position either as a couch or as a chair.

2. In a convertible folding couch, the combination of a body portion, ahead rest hinged thereon and adapted to be folded up against the bodyportion, fOlfitlJlB legs upon the outer ends of the body portion andhead rest, legs which are hinged both to the body portion and to thehead rest, and a single brace member on each side of the conch havingmeans for securing the portion, head rest and adjacent legs in properrelation with respect to each other either as a couch or as a chair.

3. In a COIDTQItllDlG folding couch, the combination of twolongitudinally extending side frames, lazy tongs connecting said sidemem bers, braces pivoted to said lazy tongs and adapted for engagementwith pins upon the longitudinal frames to form braces between said lazytongs and side frames, and foldable legs secured to said side frames.

4. In a convertible folding couch, the combination of two foldable sideframes, connections between said side frames, foldable legs secured tothe outer ends of the side frames, foldable legs hinged to the adjacentends of each side frame, braces pivoted upon. one of each of the sidemembers and connections between said braces and the other members of theside frames and with the second named legs.

5. In a convertible folding conch, the combination of two foldablelongitudinally extending side frames, collapsible braces connecting saidside frames, braces for rigidly bracing the side frames apart, ioldableend legs for said side frames, foldable legs pivoted to the side frameson the folding lines; and a single pivoted brace member on each sideframe having means for maintaining the side frames and intermediate legsin proper relation with respect to each other either as a couch or as achair.

6. in a convertible folding couch, the combination of a laterallycollapsible section adapted to form either the body of a couch or theback of a chair, a second laterally collapsible section adapted to forma head rest for the couch or a seat for a chair, said sections beinghinged together at their adjacent ends, foldable end legs for the outerends of both of said sections, intermediate foldable legs having hingeconnections with both of said sections and brace member's connected tothe sections and intermediate legs, for rigidly maintaining saidsections in position as a couch or in position as a chair.

7. In a convertible folding couch, the combination of a laterallycollapsible section adapted to form the body portion of a couch or theback of a chair, a second laterally collapsible section adapted to formthe head rest of a couch or the seat of a chair, end legs for both ofsaid sections adapted to be extended out into operative position or tobe folded up underneath said sections, intermediate legs having hingedconnections with both of said sections and brace members pivoted to oneof said sections and having means of connection with the other sectionand with the second named legs for bracing the sections and said secondnamed legs.

8. In conve tible folding conch, the combination of two sections, eachcomprising longitudinal frames, a lazy tongs connection between theopposite frames and brace bars connecting the lazy tongs with thelongitudinal frames for bracing the parts, hinged connections betweensaid sections, 'foldablc end legs, legs connected to the hinges betweenthe sections and brace members for bracing the sections and second namedlegs together.

9. in a com'ertible folding couch, the combination of two laterallycollapsible sections hinged together, and adapted to be folded up,foldable end legs secured to said sections and adapted to be extendedout into operative position, or to be folded up between said sectionswhen the sections are folded together, a second set of legs hinged toboth of said sections and adapted to be folded between the sections whenthey are folded together, brace members pivoted to one of said sectionsand having perforations adapted to be brought into register withperforations upon the other section and perforations in the second namedlegs and pins which may be seated in certain of said perforations tomaintain the structure in posi tion as a couch or in position as achair.

10. In a convertible folding couch, the combination of a laterallycollapsible section adapted to form either the body of a couch or theback of a chair, a second laterally collapsible section adapted to forma head rest for the couch or a seat for a chair, foldable end legs foreach section, hinge plates pivoted to both sections, intermediatelegsrigidly secured to said hinge plates, brace members attached to onesection and means for rigidly connecting said brace members with theother sections, and with the intermediate legs to maintain the parts intheir relative position.

11. In a convertible folding couch, the combination of a laterallycollapsible section adapted to form either the body of a couch or theback of a chair, a second laterally collapsible section adapted to forma head rest for the couch or a seat for a chair, foldable end legs foreach section, hinge plates pivotally connecting the sections,intermediate legs secured upon said hinge plates, brace members pivotedto one of said sections and having a perforated are shaped member, and

pins for securing said brace member upon the other section and theintermediate legs to maintain the parts in their relative position.

12'. In a convertible folding couch, the combination of two side frames,each comprising two members, and a hinge plate pirotally connectingthem, collapsible brace members connecting said side frames, foldableend legs for said side frames, foldable intermediate legs secured to thehinge plates, and brace members for rigidly connecting together the tWomembers of the side frames with the intermediate legs.

13. In a convertible couch the combination of two side frames, eachcomprising two members and a T shaped hinge plate pivotally connectingthem, end legs, intermediate legs secured to the hinge plates, and bracemembers between the two members of the side sections and theintermediate legs.

14. In a convertible couch, the combination of a body portion, a headrest hinged thereto, end legs pivoted upon the outer ends of the bodyand head rest, intermediate legs hinged to the body and head rest, V

and brace members between the body, head rest and intermediate legs,said brace members being constructed and arranged to hold the body, headrest and intermediate legs in such relative positions as to form eithera couch or a chair, and said body and head rest being adapted to befolded together With the legs folded between them.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my hand at Chicago,Cook county, Illinois, this 10th day of November A. D. 1908.

CHARLES L. RUEHS.

Witnesses CHARLES O. SI-IERVEY, FANNIE F. RICHARDS.

